Refinishing your bathtub is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to restore your tub’s beauty. Over time, bathtubs can chip, crack and discolor. You might have issues with permanent stains, or simply notice that it looks dull and dingy. Bathtub reglazing can add years to your tub’s lifespan in Phoenix, AZ. As long as you properly maintain your tub, it will look brand new for years.
How reglazing works
When you have your bathtub refinished, your refinishing specialists will strip the old tub of its former glaze. This is usually performed using hydrofluoric acid. It’s followed by rinsing the tub and sanding it down, which produces a smooth surface for the new glaze. Your bathtub contractor will remove any remaining dirt, fill in chips and cracks and wipe the tub down once more.
Once the tub is prepared, it’s time to reglaze. This usually requires several coats of epoxy, followed by a topcoat. When the topcoat is dry, the tub is polished to a high shine. Typically, the entire process takes about a day, and you can use your tub 24 to 48 hours later.
How long it will last
How long your finish lasts depends on whether you work with a professional, the materials they use and how well you maintain your tub. Avoid using DIY kits to refinish your bathtub—they might look nice at first, but usually start peeling or chipping within a year.
Professional reglazing may last up to 15 years, although most professional companies offer warranties for three to five years. If you’re planning to sell your home or just want to put off installing a new tub, bathtub refinishing is an economical choice in Phoenix, AZ.
Maintenance after reglazing
To maximize your new finish’s lifespan, you’ll need to be careful and maintain the surface regularly. Keep heavy objects out of your shower and tub area, like large shampoo bottles, toys and other items that could damage the tub if dropped. You should also avoid bathtub mats with suction cups on the bottom, as they can tear the glossy finish.
Cleaning your tub regularly also helps—but make sure you avoid abrasive cleaners and brushes. Never use steel wool, bleach or cleanser on your tub. This will damage the topcoat and make your bathtub more susceptible to stains and discoloration.
Instead, use gentle, bleach-free cleaners and a soft-bristled brush or microfiber cloth. Scrub your tub every week (or more often, as needed), and follow up with a urethane polish every six months.
When you work with professionals and use the right care and maintenance, your refinished bathtub could hold on for over a decade. That’s a lot cheaper than paying to remove and replace it with a brand-new tub.
Interested in learning more about bathtub reglazing in Phoenix, AZ? A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. can reglaze your fiberglass or porcelain tub to restore its original beauty. Let us help transform your bathroom on a budget—call today to get a quote.
Even if you clean your bathtub frequently, it’s eventually going to start to wear out. Whether you have a porcelain or fiberglass tub, they can suffer dents, dings, scratches and a dull finish. If your tub has seen better days, it’s time to consider bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ. This easy, fast process can restore your tub to like-new condition, allowing you to get several more years out of your old tub.
Here’s how to tell it’s time to refinish your tub:
Discoloration: When your tub reaches a certain age, you may start to see splotchy discoloration in different areas. It’s common to see off-white stains, brown, yellow and even pink areas on your tub’s finish. They could be due to hard water or mold, and they’re very difficult to get rid of, if not impossible. The best way to get rid of them for good is to have your tub refinished. It gives your tub a brand-new, stain-free surface so you don’t have to fight the splotches.
Chipping: Chips happen easily, especially if you drop heavy objects in the shower. Tools, kids’ bath toys and heavy toiletry bottles can all damage your tub’s finish. Not only is this unattractive and uncomfortable to stand on, but it also exposes the tub’s underlayers to moisture. That can cause rust and other issues, which damage the structural integrity of your tub. Refinishing replaces that moisture barrier.
Dullness: Over time, your tub’s protective coating will wear away, thanks to years of use and cleaning. That’s perfectly normal, but it’s also less than aesthetically appealing, and offers less protection than the coating did when it was new. If your tub’s seen better days, refinishing can give it a shiny new coat that will make your whole bathroom seem newer and nicer.
Impossible to clean: Sometimes your bathtub is just impossible to keep clean, thanks to degraded protective coatings. Instead of simply wiping dirt, grime and soap scum away, you’ll have to work extra hard to get it clean. Since the material is porous, the grime will settle back in right away. The only way to solve this is to either replace your tub or refinish it.
Unwanted color: Finally, not liking your tub’s color is a perfectly good reason to refinish it. Sometimes homes come with unattractive colored bathtubs, like 1970s yellow and avocado, or the baby pink that was popular in the 1950s. Refinishing is an inexpensive way to get rid of the ugly old color and replace it with something more to your liking.
Refinishing your bathtub can be done in a few hours, and you’ll be able to use it again within a day or two. It’s much easier than paying to demolish and haul away your old tub—and cheaper, too. If you’ve noticed the signs above in your own bathroom, it might be time to refinish your tub.
Are you getting ready to sell your home? If so, you probably already know that one of the best things you can do to increase your home’s value is refinish your tub. Home buyers are especially picky about kitchens and bathrooms, so whatever you can do to brighten up your space is bound to help you command a higher price. Here’s how refinishing your tub can increase your home value in Phoenix, AZ.
Cheaper than remodeling your bathroom
If you’re looking to sell your home as quickly—and make as much profit—as possible, then refinishing your bathroom is your best option. Bathroom remodels can cost tens of thousands of dollars, especially if you have to demo and haul out a bathtub, then install a new one. Instead of committing to an entire remodel, why not polish the features you already have? Bathtub refinishing takes less than 72 hours, gives new life to your existing tub and costs a few hundred dollars, depending on your particular tub. With bathtub refinishing and a fresh coat of paint, you can make your bathroom look incredibly appealing to prospective buyers.
Helps a buyer imagine themselves in the space
When you stage a home, your stager and real estate agent will stress that the key is to make sure another person can picture themselves living in your home right away. On one hand, that means taking down family photos and other personal touches that make your home truly “you.” On the other, it means that you need to get your home in the physical shape it should be. If your buyer can’t walk into your bathrooms and picture themselves sinking into the bathtub, they’re not going to think, “I want this home.” Instead, they’ll think, “Here’s another item I’ll have to fix after I move in.” If you’re competing against another seller who has everything you’ve got—plus a great bathroom—you’ll lose.
Helps you close the sale
Similarly, when you get ready to sell your home, it’s important that you understand most buyers are just as busy and overworked as you. If you want to sell your home at a discount, go ahead and skip sprucing it up—but if you want it to command full price, you’ll need to put a little cosmetic work into selling. That’s one of the most important reasons to refinish your bathtub before selling your home in Phoenix, AZ.
Since bathtub refinishing is safe, fast and cost effective, you can schedule it as soon as you’re ready to sell your home. Not only will your real estate agent appreciate your efforts, but it will make the entire process smoother—all for just a couple days’ work and a relatively low price tag. It’s a great way to make your home desirable.
Are you considering bathtub refinishing? A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. specializes in restoring old bathtubs to like-new status. We’d love to help you get ready for your home sale. Call us today to learn more.
If your bathtub is looking a little past its prime, you may be considering your options. Cracks, dirt, rust and chips can all conspire to make your tub a less-than-relaxing spot. What should you do? You can replace your tub, of course, but that’s an expensive and time-consuming option. Alternatively, if the damage is cosmetic, you can refinish your tub to make it look brand new once more.
Here’s how to decide whether tub refinishing or replacement in Phoenix, AZ is right for you.
Refinishing your bathtub
Refinishing your bathtub is also known as reglazing, recoating and resurfacing. This is best for tubs that just have cosmetic issues like minor cracks, chips, stains and other surface problems. It’s not a permanent fix, but it can help you get years’ worth of enjoyment out of an otherwise old and outdated tub.
The refinishing process is easy. A tub refinishing contractor will come to your home and sand down the existing surface to make it smooth. Any cracks or chips are filled in and smoothed once again. Then the surface is primed and coated. You’ll need to wait 24 to 48 hours after the process to use it again, but once the new surface has cured, you’re good to go.
This option is far less expensive than replacing your bathtub entirely, but keep in mind that it can only be done once. When you have an old tub or just want to spruce it up on a short-term basis, refinishing is a great option.
Replacing your bathtub
If your bathtub is suffering from major damage like cracks, sinking and undefeatable grime, it might be time to scrap the whole thing and start fresh. As you might imagine, this is far more expensive. First, you’ll need someone to remove your existing tub from the bathroom and haul it away for disposal. This often involves removing wall tile and may require plaster or sheetrock repairs at the same time. If there are plumbing issues or your new tub requires different fixtures, that will add to the cost.
Next, there’s the cost of the new tub itself, which can range from budget fiberglass options to heavier porcelain or cast iron tubs. If you choose a heavier tub, you will probably need to add structural reinforcements, especially if the tub is being installed on an upper floor. The average cost runs about $3,000, but the benefit is that you can take the opportunity to totally renovate your bathroom at the same time if you want to. If you hate your old tub’s size or shape and plan to stay in your home for a long time, this is a good solution.
Knowing when to replace or refinish your bathtub in Phoenix, AZ is basically dependent on the damage to your tub and what your renovation goals are. For a fast, flawless finish on lightly-damaged tubs, refinishing is a great option.
Homeowners have more options than ever when it comes to bathtubs, but if you’re looking for a basic, practical and affordable option, you can’t do better than a fiberglass bathtub in Phoenix, AZ. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of fiberglass bathtubs to ensure you fully understand what to expect from this type of tub:
Easy to install: Fiberglass tubs are significantly lighter weight than other materials, which makes them much easier to install. They usually do not require additional floor support, making them a good choice for second- or third-floor bathrooms. Porcelain, stone and cast iron tubs are much heavier and may require special construction to ensure stability.
Affordably priced: Fiberglass is usually the most affordable bathtub option there is, even more so than acrylic. If you’re doing a quick renovation or just need an easy and inexpensive choice, you’re sure to find a fiberglass option in your budget. Other tub materials might last longer, but if that’s not your main concern, you’ll find plenty to love with fiberglass.
Can be refinished: Even though fiberglass doesn’t last quite as long as porcelain, stone, cast iron and other tub materials, it can still easily last a decade or more—and if it starts looking dingy, you can refinish the tub. This gives your tub a brand-new appearance for at least two to three more years. Whether you plan to sell or upgrade later, refinishing your tub is a low-cost way to keep your bathroom looking fresh for a longer time.
Not as durable as other tub materials: As the previous sections discussed, fiberglass simply doesn’t last as long as other tub materials, but many homeowners find this to be a decent trade-off for its low cost, easy installation and easy refinishing process. If you’re planning on installing a tub that will last forever, fiberglass isn’t the best choice—but if you just need something that looks nice, functions properly and can be easily repaired, it’s great.
Can have an inconsistent surface: When you’re looking for a fiberglass tub, keep in mind that the surface can be inconsistently finished. Fiberglass tubs are made by forming several layers of material and pressing them together, then spraying the tub with a resin finish. This can lead to inconsistencies in the coating, which doesn’t look as nice as other options. The best way to avoid this is to make sure you see the tub you’re getting before it’s installed. Of course, if the finish starts degrading after installation, refinishing is a simple and affordable process.
Fiberglass tubs are a great option for homeowners on a budget, especially if you’re making over a guest bathroom that won’t get used as often. They’re a popular choice across the nation thanks to their low cost and quick installation process.
If you have a fiberglass tub in Phoenix, AZ that has seen better days, let the crew at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. take care of it. Call today to learn about your refinishing options.
